Hundreds turn out to ‘Invasion Day’ rally as parliamentarians urge State Government to lead the country in date change
Tasmanian Aboriginal elders and politicians, including some you might not expect, are urging the State Government to lead the rest of the nation in changing the date of Australia Day.
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TASMANIAN Aboriginal elders and politicians including Liberal Speaker Sue Hickey are urging the State Government to lead the rest of the nation in changing the date of Australia Day.
THIRTY-TWO TASMANIANS LISTED IN AUSTRALIA DAY HONOURS
In front of a crowd of about 3000 who packed Hobart’s Parliament Lawns for the Invasion Day rally, Tasmanian Aboriginal elder Jim Everett said a change in the state’s premiership should bring with it a change in Australia Day.
“I make an appeal to our new Premier [Peter Gutwein] to come and talk with our Aboriginal leaders to try and move forward with a plan to change the date,” he said.
“That’s the biggest thing we can ask of Peter Gutwein. Let’s start the movement to show some mutual respect to change the date.”
Liberal Speaker Sue Hickey pledged her support for a change of date saying Tasmanians needed to constantly pressure politicians and step up “because [rallying] one day of the year hasn’t cut it for 26 years”.
“There are only 25 members in the Lower House and 15 in the Legislative Council and I know there are politicians there who share my passion to change this date,” she said.
“There are people in parliament who can change but they have to be able to have the courage to stand up to the Federal Party and with the support of Tasmanians they will do it.
“With the stroke of a pen another politician can change this date, but whatever it is we need to keep the pressure up.”
Greens Leader Cassy O’Connor said true reconciliation was demonstrated by listening to the voices of Aboriginal people, “and by acting on what we hear”.
“Along with an ever growing number of Australians, we agree it’s well past time to start really listening to Aboriginal people, and to change the date,” she said.
A State Government spokesman said the Government had no plans to change the date at a state level.
“The Government respects the views of others, however does not propose a change of date for Australia Day from January 26,” the spokesman said.
“We also acknowledge that this is about a national day, not a state day, and therefore needs to be a national conversation that is facilitated by the Commonwealth.”
Originally published as Hundreds turn out to ‘Invasion Day’ rally as parliamentarians urge State Government to lead the country in date change